Refrigerated Retail Units

ABSTRACT

A refrigerated retail unit has a supporting structure, at least one insulating open-topped container that is movable with respect to the structure between a display position in which the interior of the container can be accessed through an access opening, and a full access position in which the interior of the container can be accessed through most or all of its open top. The container is capable of substantially retaining cold air within when in the full access position. The unit further comprises a cooling means for cooling the interior of the container and an insulating lid supported by the structure. The container defines an overall top plan area that is partially covered by the lid when the container is in the display position, and the remainder of said area of the container not then covered by the lid defines the access opening.

This invention relates to the art of cold storage using refrigeration systems, including appliances such as refrigerators and freezers for storing foodstuffs and other perishables. The invention is especially concerned with refrigerated displays and dispensers for use in the retail environment, for example for supplying frozen or chilled food and beverages in stores, restaurants and bars. For brevity, this specification will refer to such displays and dispensers generically as refrigerated retail units.

The invention develops concepts described in prior-published patent applications filed by the Applicant. Those earlier patent applications are exemplified by WO 01/20237, WO 02/073104, WO 02/073105, WO 02/073107, WO 2005/024315 and WO 2006/021819. Their content is incorporated herein by reference.

Briefly to recap the introduction of WO 01/020237, the advantages of storing foodstuffs and other perishable items in refrigerated and segregated conditions have long been known: refrigeration retards the degradation of such items and segregation helps to prevent their cross-contamination. Accordingly, modern cold-storage appliances such as refrigerators and freezers are usually compartmentalised, albeit not often effectively, so that a user can store different types of food in different compartments. All such appliances have the additional aim of maximising their energy efficiency, although this may be compromised in retail applications in the interest of easy access to the products within.

Refrigerated retail units generally comprise a cooler unit that generates a convection loop within an insulated cabinet. Air cooled by the cooler unit sinks toward the bottom of the cabinet and as that air absorbs heat during its downward journey, it warms and rises back up to the cooler unit where it is cooled again. It is also possible to have forced-air circulation by means of a fan within or communicating with the cabinet. Shelves may be provided within the cabinet and are often made of wire so that they offer little resistance to the circulation of air.

Some refrigerated retail units have the format of a chest freezer comprising an open-topped insulated cabinet. The cabinet may be left open for convenient access to its contents, but with a penalty of ongoing heat transfer from the ambient air to the interior of the cabinet.

This problem of heat gain may be mitigated by closing the top of the cabinet with sliding access panels or a horizontally-hinged upwardly-opening insulated lid. However, the penalty of more difficult access to products in the cabinet means that this solution is not often adopted in retail applications.

Whilst chest freezers have the advantage of retaining cold air within the cabinet, their format is inconvenient and wasteful of space because it precludes use of the space immnuediately above the cabinet, which space is needed for access and may also be required to give clearance for opening a lid. Even if sliding access panels are used instead of an upwardly-opening lid, items cannot be left conveniently on top of the cabinet. Also, access to the contents of large chest freezers can be extremely difficult, it being necessary to stoop down and shift numerous heavy and painfully cold items to get to items at the bottom of the cold storage volume within the cabinet.

In view of the disadvantages of the chest freezer format, most refrigerated retail units employ an upright open-fronted insulated cabinet. The interior storage volume of the cabinet is usually partitioned by shelves. This makes better use of floor space by enabling more products to be displayed for a given plan area or ‘footprint’ of the unit. The use of shelves can also place products at a more convenient height for viewing and selection, hence easing access to those products if the cabinet is tall enough. High-profile units of this type are common in open-fronted form in supermarkets and in take-away sandwich shops and cafeterias. Such units are also common in the self-service retail of beverages but are usually fitted with doors in that application.

The advantage of easy access does not apply to low ‘under-counter’ units typically used to store bottles in a bar, where the products are usually close to the floor and so necessitate bending down or even kneeling to view and to access them. It is also noted that where bottles are disposed horizontally for rapid cooling, this wastes valuable counter space. The advantage of easy access only really applies to products that are supported on shelves above waist height and below eye level, and then only to the products at the front of each shelf. Access to products at the rear of a shelf can be very awkward: this reduces the effective storage space in the cabinet and hinders access to the products that may be the coldest and also the closest to their expiry dates. As customers will tend to pick the items that are most conveniently situated at the front of the shelves, this places greater demands upon effective stock rotation. Yet, the front-loading design of existing open-fronted refrigerated retail units also hinders stock rotation as will now be explained.

Open-fronted upright cabinets encounter particular problems when stock needs to be replenished and rotated. They offer only a front-fill solution, introducing a risk that perishable items could expire if left at the back of the cabinet: this undesirable scenario may be summarised as first-in, last-out. Also, they make stock rotation a laborious manual operation that may involve shifting numerous heavy and cold items from awkward places within the cabinet. This risks damage to and cross-contamination of the items, and risks injury to the worker who performs the task. There is also a likelihood that at least some items will not be rotated effectively and so will expire before being sold.

Of course, a major problem with upright open-fronted cabinets is that cold air can flow freely out of the bottom of the cabinet in use, to be replaced by warm ambient air flowing in at the top. The ingress of ambient air causes the internal temperature of the cabinet to rise, hence consuming more energy in redressing that rise by running the cooler unit. The incoming ambient air introduces the possibility of airborne contamination, and moisture in that air also gives rise to condensation and possibly ice within the cabinet. Meanwhile the cold air spilling out of the cabinet cools the surrounding area to an extent that may cause discomfort to shoppers and staff, and could even breach environmental regulations. This problem is particularly apparent when several refrigerated retail units are arrayed in parallel opposed rows with aisles between.

It is possible to attach or deploy removable night covers across the open front of an upright cabinet whenever the retail premises are closed. However existing night covers are largely ineffective and are time-consuming to set up, and so are not always used.

In a more common approach to reducing the spillage of cold air, the cabinet may be provided with a vertically-sealed hinged or sliding door to close its otherwise open front. However, a door can only reduce cold air spillage as long as it remains closed: the longer and more frequently the door is opened, as happens especially in retail applications, the more cold air will spill out to be exchanged for warm, moist and possibly contaminated ambient air.

Like the lid of a chest freezer, a door will obstruct viewing of, and access to, the products within the cabinet. Even though the door will usually be glazed in retail environments, the glass must be kept free of dirt and condensation if it is to remain possible to view products enclosed behind it. Also, it is inconvenient to have to open a door, for example when a shopper is carrying a basket or an infant and so does not have both hands free. This applies especially where a door has to be forced open either against the effect of reduced pressure within the cabinet, or against bias means such as springs or ramps that urge the door to close. The awkwardness of opening a door is increased if the door is latched closed or is positioned low down, as in an under-counter unit.

It is also possible that hinged doors will not fit where the unit is intended to be used, for example behind a narrow bar. Sliding doors may fit in that situation, but they hamper access because at least one door will always lie across the open front of the cabinet and so will have to be slid aside to gain access to products in the cabinet behind.

The limitations of a vertical seal mean that loss of cold air and induction of warm air can even occur when a door is closed. Being denser than warmer air, the coldest air collects at the bottom of the cabinet and applies pressure to the sealing interface so that unless the seal forms a perfect seal between the door and the cabinet, that air will escape.

Another problem of known refrigerated retail units is that they do not effectively segregate different types of foodstuff or other perishable items to avoid cross-contamination. Indeed, segregation of food is compromised by the convection and/or forced-air principles on which those units rely. The substantially open shelves designed to promote circulation of air within the cabinet also promote the circulation of moisture, enzymes and harmful bacteria. In addition, any liquid that may spill or leak, such as juices running from uncooked meats, will not be contained by open shelves: it may drip on products below.

Yet another problem with known refrigerated retail units is their inflexible design, arising in part from their reliance upon an insulated cabinet. For example, their overall shape tends to be an uninteresting cuboid, and there is little space on which to display advertising or product information such as pricing without obscuring or hindering access to the products being sold.

Various efforts have been made to improve the design of refrigerated retail units down the years. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,079 to Ranno et al discloses a refrigerated product display stand, particularly for displaying bananas. The stand has internally-cooled open-topped non-insulated drawers that may be slid out horizontally and tipped up for access. Cooling is effected by a flexible hose into the rear wall of each drawer that feeds in cold air from an external cooling means. Whilst the drawers may be capable of retaining cold air when horizontal, that cold air will spill out whenever a drawer is tipped up. Also, there will be massive heat gain to the interiors of the drawers through their open tops and non-insulated walls and a likelihood of condensation forming within the drawers. Condensation is a major factor in microbial growth.

GB 2028480 to Guinness discloses a bottle cooler having gravity-feed drawers, each drawer having an inclined internal base and guides defining channels for downward movement of bottles within the drawer. A front access opening in a front wall of each drawer lies in a vertical plane. There is provision to generate a curtain of cold air over the access opening; the access opening may also be closed by a shutter or a window, although any such shutter or window would have to be movable to maintain access to the interior of the drawer in use.

A drawer having an opening in a wall is inherently leaky, even if the opening is closed for most of the time. Also, GB 2028480 discloses a cooled-cabinet design from which air will spill when a drawer is open, and within which air will circulate and mix between the drawers. In this respect, it will be noted that the base of each drawer is of open framework construction. Again, heat gain and condensation will be problematic, with the added risk of icing due to low operating temperatures.

EP 0853456 to Electrolux discloses a refrigerated retail unit comprising a plurality of non-insulated drawers disposed one above another in an insulated open-fronted cabinet. When closed, the base of each drawer—other than the bottom drawer—covers most of the open top of the drawer below, save for a front access opening defined by an outwardly-inclined front wall extending up from the base of each drawer.

Items can be removed through the access openings even when the drawers are closed. The inner base of each drawer is inclined to encourage items to feed forward toward the access opening under gravity.

A supporting structure defines a shared plenum chamber that supplies cold air to the rear of each drawer. The drawers and the plenum communicate for the circulation of cold air and for the return of warmed air. For that purpose, the drawers have apertures in their rear walls that co-operate with apertures in the front wall of the plenum chamber. Disadvantageously, cold air will flood out of those apertures from both drawer and plenum chamber when the drawers are slid forwardly to open them. Indeed, when an upper drawer of a neighbouring pair is opened, that cold air will spill directly into the open top of the lower drawer of that pair.

There is also a direct bleed of cold air from the upper to the lower drawer of each neighbouring pair, across the access opening of the lower drawer. This is intended merely to give a pleasantly cold sensation when a user's hand enters the access opening.

The shared plenum and the provision for air transfer from drawer to drawer demonstrates that EP 0853456 is not concerned with effectively segregating the cold storage volumes of the drawers. Also, EP 0853456 remains wedded to the cooled-cabinet principle of earlier prior art, relying upon the insulation of the cabinet. This restricts design freedom but more importantly it concedes that the exterior of the drawers will be bathed in below-ambient air by virtue of heat transfer from that air into the drawers and loss of cold air from the drawers. EP 0853456 therefore still suffers from heat gain into the cabinet, and from there into the drawers. This is due to the loss of cold air through the open front of the cabinet and its replacement by warmer ambient air, and to exposure of the non-insulated drawers to that warmer air.

Warm incoming ambient air carries water vapour into the cabinet. So, if the temperature of the exterior of the drawers, the interior of the cabinet and other components within the cabinet—such as drawer runners—falls below the ambient dew point, condensation on those surfaces is inevitable. Condensation promotes microbial growth as mentioned above. It also transfers latent heat, is unsightly and obtrusive, causes corrosion and requires ongoing removal if the unit is not to leave a growing puddle on the floor. Also, if the unit is used as a freezer, condensation may give rise to icing.

Icing is a particular risk in EP 0853456 as gaps are left between the upper and lower drawers of each neighbouring pair. The purpose of those gaps is to allow relative sliding movement between neighbouring drawers, but condensation migrating into those gaps will inevitably freeze if the drawer contents are below zero Celsius. Paradoxically, therefore, the gaps may eventually cause the drawers to freeze together.

It is against this background that the present invention has been devised. The invention resides in a refrigerated retail unit having:

-   -   a supporting structure;     -   at least one insulating open-topped container that is movable         with respect to the structure between         -   a display position in which the interior of the container             can be accessed through an access opening; and         -   a full access position in which the interior of the             container can be accessed through most or all of its open             top;     -   the container being capable of substantially retaining cold air         within when in the full access position;     -   cooling means for cooling the interior of the container; and     -   an insulating lid supported by the structure;         wherein the container defines an overall top plan area that is         partially covered by the lid when the container is in the         display position, and the remainder of said area of the         container not then covered by the lid defines the access         opening.

Preferably, the lid is fixed to the structure. The container may be movable with respect to the lid past the display position into a fully closed position where the open top of the container is fully closed by the lid.

The container may move as a drawer with respect to the structure and the lid, and may be removable from the structure. Where the container moves as a drawer, telescopic runers between the container and the structure can enable the container to be withdrawn from the structure to an extent necessary to expose substantially all of the open top of the container for ease of access.

In some embodiments of the invention, the lid has a substantially horizontal under surface, the open top of the container defines a substantially horizontal upper surface, and the container moves substantially horizontally between said positions. In other embodiments, an under surface of the lid and an upper surface of the container are inclined downwardly and forwardly. In that case, the container can move between its positions in a correspondingly inclined plane. The unit may have latch means to hold the container in an upward position; the unit may also, or alternatively, have bias means to urge the container upwardly.

The or each container is preferably supported in a non-insulated cabinet or casing. This gives considerable design freedom.

The container may have a mezzanine shelf therein to increase the display area of each container.

The unit may have at least two containers one above the other, comprising a lower container and an upper container. In that case, there is preferably an air gap between the lid of the lower container and the bottom the upper container. The containers may be in tiered relation when in their display positions: for example, the lower container may be longer from front to rear than the upper container. The lid of the lower container may be shorter than the lower container but may be of substantially the same length as the upper container. It is also possible for the lower container to be withdrawn further from the structure than the upper container when the containers are in their display positions.

The upper container preferably has an outwardly-inclined front wall defining its access opening and the lower container preferably has a front wall that is less inclined than the front wall of the upper container. For example, the lower container may have a front wall that is substantially vertical or that is substantially orthogonal to a base of the container. This maximises space in the drawers and access to the drawers.

In some embodiments, the lower container is wider from side to side than the upper container. In those embodiments, the lid of the lower container may be narrower than the lower container and may be of substantially the same width as the upper container.

One container may move as a drawer with respect to the structure and the other container may be removable from the structure.

The cooling means is preferably associated with the lid. For example, the cooling means may comprise a fan coil unit in the lid or an evaporator in the lid. A plenum chamber in the lid may communicate with the evaporator and with the container through openings in a partition that partially defines the plenum chamber.

It is preferred that the cooling means employs self-contained air circulation between the lid and the container. In some embodiments, the container includes a recirculation duct having an inlet for receiving air from an air curtain projected across the access opening; that recirculation duct may be defined between inner and outer walls of the container. The air curtain may be projected from the lid across the access opening and the recirculation duct may have an outlet for directing air to the lid, in which case the outlet is preferably at the rear of the container.

In general, the cooling means may comprise a heat exchanger, cold air ducts extending through the lid from a cold air source outside the lid, or other technologies such as magnetic refrigeration.

Preferably, at least a majority of cooling is effected by way of the lid and the cooling means does not cool the exterior of the container.

The or each container may have a base and front, rear and side walls upstanding from the base to define the open top. In that case, the rear wall and side walls may extend substantially from the base to the lid, and the front wall may be shorter than the rear wall. An insulating panel may be attachable to the front wall of the container to increase the height of the front wall.

In some embodiments, the front, rear and side walls extend substantially orthogonally from the base. For example, the front wall and/or the rear wall may be substantially vertical. It is also preferred that the side walls are substantially vertical.

At least part of the front wall is preferably transparent to the benefit of viewing items within the container. Additionally, at least a forward part of the side walls may be transparent.

Preferably, at least an inner surface of the base is inclined downwardly toward the access opening. In that case, the inner surface may have parallel channels leading toward the access opening. A minor forward portion of the inclined inner surface of the base adjacent the access opening is preferably more steeply inclined than a major rearward portion of that surface. For example, the front wall of the container may be inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base and the minor forward portion may be inclined substantially orthogonally with respect to the front wall. More generally, the inner surface of the base may be inclined downwardly leading away from a secondary access opening of the container.

Where the unit of the invention has at least two containers one above the other, the lid of a lower container may have an upper surface inclined to match the external inclination of the base of the upper container.

The front wall may be inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base. In that case, forward extensions of the side walls may each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the front wall, said edges and the top of the front wall together at least partially defining the access opening. It is also possible that the rear wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base. In that case, rearward extensions of the side walls may each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the rear wall, said edges and the top of the rear wall together at least partially defining a secondary access opening.

Suitably, a primary access opening is at least partially defined by the front wall. That access opening may be at least partially defined by forward extensions of the side wall, and may be at least partially defined by a forward edge of the lid. Where the front wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base, and forward extensions of the side walls each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the front wall, said edges and the top of the front wall may at least partially define the access opening between them.

The access opening is preferably upwardly facing and may also be outwardly facing. For example, the access opening may be forwardly-facing or laterally-facing. In any event, the access opening is suitably adjacent the lid, for example forward of the lid and/or to at least one side of the lid. Thus, the access opening may extend at least partially around the lid when viewed in plan.

The lid may have an end face adjacent the access opening that, for ease of access through the access opening, faces downwardly and outwardly.

A movable or removable closure may cover the or each access opening. The closure may be supported by the lid, for example by being hinged to the lid. When not in use, the closure may be stowed in a forwardly-opening recess in the lid. At least part of the closure may be transparent.

The container may be defined by a plurality of open-topped insulating boxes disposed side-by-side on a supporting platform. In that case, one of the boxes may lie under the access opening and at least one other box may be wholly under the lid. The boxes suitably co-operate to define a planar upper surface that is co-operable with a planar under surface of the lid.

The boxes may be slidable with respect to the platform, which platform may be inclined such that the boxes slide down the incline under gravity. In that case, a lower box on the inclined platform preferably supports one or more upper boxes on the platform against sliding down the platform until the lower box is removed from the platform. The inclined platform may have a front wall for supporting the lower box.

The platform is preferably movable with respect to the structure, for example as a drawer with respect to the structure. The platform is preferably supported by telescopic runners and can be withdrawn from the structure to an extent necessary to place a box on the rear of the platform.

Each box preferably has a rear wall and side walls extending substantially from the platform to the lid, and a front wall that is shorter than the rear wall: the access opening is preferably at least partially defined by the front wall.

The unit may have a secondary access opening giving access to the interior of the container when the container is in the display position. For example, there may be at least two access openings, at least one of which is an exit opening for removing items from the container. In that case, at least one of the access openings is preferably an entry opening for placing items into the container.

In preferred embodiments, a seal acts between the lid and the top of the container. That seal may be a magnetic sliding seal and may substantially encircle an under surface of the lid. Specifically, the seal may have elements transverse to the direction of movement of the container with respect to the structure. A first transverse element of the seal may act between the lid and a rear wall of the container when the container is in the display position. A second transverse element of the seal forward of the first transverse element may act between the lid and the rear wall of the container when the container is in the full access position. Also, the second transverse element of the seal may act between the lid and the front wall of the container when the container is in the fully closed position, and a third transverse element of the seal rearward of the first transverse element may act between the lid and the rear wall of the container when the container is in the fully closed position.

The seal preferably has longitudinal elements parallel to the direction of movement of the container with respect to the structure. The longitudinal elements of the seal suitably act between the lid and side walls of the container when the container is in the display position or in the fully closed position.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) are sectional side views of a first embodiment of the invention apt to be used for displaying and dispensing food items, FIG. 1( a) showing a drawer closed and FIG. 1( b) showing the drawer open for restocking;

FIGS. 2( a), 2(b) and 2(c) are sectional side views of a second embodiment of the invention apt to be used for displaying and dispensing bottles, FIG. 2( a) showing a drawer and cover closed, FIG. 2( b) showing the drawer closed and the cover open and FIG. 2( c) showing both the drawer and the cover open;

FIGS. 3( a), 3(b) and 3(c) are sectional side views that show a variant of the second embodiment in which drawers are stacked, FIG. 3( a) showing all the drawers of the stack and their covers closed, FIG. 3( b) showing all the drawers closed and one of the covers open for removal of a bottle from that drawer, and FIG. 3( c) showing one of the drawers and one of the covers open for restocking with a fresh supply of bottles;

FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) are sectional side views of a third embodiment of the invention having a second access opening communicating with the interior of a drawer, FIG. 4( a) showing the drawer closed and FIG. 4( b) showing the drawer open;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a variant of the third embodiment in which the access openings have covers, both of which are shown open in FIG. 5 with the drawer closed;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view that shows how the variant of FIG. 5 can be stacked to create a multi-drawer unit;

FIGS. 7( a) to 7(f) are sectional side views of a fourth embodiment of the invention showing how drawers and covers may be arranged in various ways;

FIGS. 8( a), 8(b) and 8(c) are sectional side views of a fifth embodiment of the invention, FIG. 8( a) showing a drawer closed, FIG. 8( b) showing the drawer partially open and FIG. 8( c) showing the drawer fully open;

FIGS. 9( a), 9(b) and 9(c) are sectional side views of a variant of the fifth embodiment in which drawers are stacked to create a multi-drawer unit, FIG. 9( a) showing the drawers closed, FIG. 9( b) showing the drawers partially open and FIG. 9( c) showing the drawers fully open;

FIGS. 10( a), 10(b) and 10(c) are sectional elevation views of a sixth embodiment of the invention, FIG. 10( a) being a sectional side view with drawers closed, FIG. 10( b) being a sectional front view corresponding to FIG. 10( a) and FIG. 10( c) being a sectional side view with drawers open;

FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) are sectional side views of a seventh embodiment of the invention with provision for an air curtain across the access opening, FIG. 11( a) showing the drawer closed and FIG. 11( b) showing the drawer open;

FIGS. 12( a) to 12(d) are sectional side views of an eighth embodiment of the invention in which drawers of a stack each support a plurality of cassettes, FIG. 12( a) showing the unit fully stocked with cassettes, FIG. 12( b) showing a cassette being removed from the bottom drawer of the unit, FIG. 12( c) showing how the remaining cassettes slide forwardly within the bottom drawer in consequence of that removal and FIG. 12( d) showing the bottom drawer open and restocked with fresh cassettes;

FIGS. 13( a), 13(b) and 13(c) are sectional side views of a ninth embodiment of the invention in which containers are removable from the unit, FIG. 13( a) showing the containers within the unit, FIG. 13( b) showing the containers being removed from the unit and FIG. 13( c) showing the containers removed from the unit;

FIGS. 14( a) and 14(b) are sectional side views of a tenth embodiment of the invention in which a container akin to the containers of the ninth embodiment is combined with a drawer underneath, FIG. 14( a) showing the drawer closed and FIG. 14( b) showing the drawer open;

FIGS. 15( a) to 15(d) show an eleventh embodiment of the invention in which an upper transparent-walled drawer is shaped to promote access into a lower transparent-walled drawer, FIG. 15( a) being a sectional side view in which the drawers are closed, FIG. 15( b) being a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 15( a), FIG. 15( c) showing the upper drawer open and the lower drawer closed and FIG. 15( d) showing the lower drawer open and the upper drawer closed; and

FIGS. 16( a), 16(b) and 16(c) show a variant of the eleventh embodiment in which front and side walls of the drawers are opaque, FIGS. 16( a), 16(b) and 16(c) otherwise corresponding to FIGS. 15( b), 15(c) and 15(d) respectively.

As the numerous embodiments of the invention have several features in common, this description will use like numerals for like parts where possible. In each case, a refrigerated retail unit has one or more containers, usually in the form of an insulated drawer 20 that is supported by a structure 22 for movement with respect to the structure 22 between retracted and extended states; respectively, closed and open. Telescopic runners 24 enable the drawer 20 to be pulled away from the structure 22 to the extent that the entire open top of the drawer 20 can be accessed from above, for ease of cleaning and replenishment.

The drawer 20 may be fully removable from the unit, in which case full drawers 20 could be stored in a storage area until needed, then quickly fitted into unit. Indeed, suppliers could provide items ready packed into drawers 20.

In general, the number and the size of drawers 20 in the unit can vary depending on the items that are to be stored and displayed in the unit. In particular, the drawers 20 can be of any suitable height to accommodate different items, for example soft-drink cans, 500 ml and ⅔ litre bottles.

The or each drawer 20 has an insulated lid 26 fixed to and supported by the structure 22. The lid 26 at least partially closes the open top of the drawer 20 when the drawer 20 is closed. The drawer 20 defines an overall top plan area that is partially covered by the lid 26 when the drawer 20 is closed. The remainder of the overall top plan area of the drawer 20 not then covered by the lid 26 defines at least one access opening 28 giving access to the interior of the closed drawer 20.

Seals 30 may be provided between the lid 26 and the open top of the drawer 20 to minimise cross-contamination such as odour contamination, and also to minimise waste of energy and icing. Trace heating means (not shown) may also be associated with the seals 30 to prevent icing.

A cooling means is provided for cooling the interior but not the exterior of the drawer 20. In the embodiments described, the cooling means is associated with the lid 26: specifically, most of the embodiments employ a fan coil unit in the lid comprising a fan 32, a plenum chamber 34 and an evaporator 36. Air flow is driven across the evaporator 36 by the fan 32 as part of self-contained circulation between the lid 26 and the drawer 20 through openings in a partition 38 that defines the underside of the plenum chamber 34 and distributes cold air around the drawer 20. Defrost drainage means, not specifically referenced herein, may be associated with the evaporator 36 in well-known fashion.

More generally, the cooling means may be a heat exchanger such as an evaporator 36 in the lid 26, or cold air ducts extending through the lid 26 from a cold air source outside the lid 26. Other refrigeration means such as magnetic refrigeration are possible; it is also possible, though less preferred, that the cooling means is not associated with the lid 26.

The exterior of the or each drawer 20 is preferably exposed to air that is at, or even above, ambient temperature to avoid or minimise condensation and icing. Means (not shown) may be provided to promote a flow of ambient or heated air within the unit and around the closed drawers as proposed in the Applicant's earlier patent applications WO 01/20237 and WO 02/073105.

Drawers 20 may be stacked one above another with their associated lids 26, such that the lids 26 and drawers 20 alternate in the stack. Whilst not shown in the illustrated embodiments, drawers 20 and their lids 26 may also, or alternatively, be disposed side-by-side. It is also possible for drawers 20 and their lids 26 to be provided in individual modules that can be combined to create the ideal configuration for various applications.

Optionally, there may be provision to select different temperatures in different drawers 20 to suit different foodstuffs or other contents, and to suit different cold-storage regimes such as refrigeration marginally above zero Celsius and freezing significantly below zero Celsius. Indeed, it is possible for a given drawer 20 to be converted readily from refrigerator to freezer and back again, thereby to vary the proportion of refrigerator space to freezer space in the unit as a whole. In this way, the unit can respond to changing cold-storage needs.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) of the drawings, these show a first embodiment of the invention that is apt to be used for displaying and dispensing food and drink items shown generally as 40. The unit shown in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) could, for example, be used as a freezer to display packaged ice-creams. It may be a freestanding or counter-top unit.

FIG. 1( a) shows the drawer 20 closed under the lid 26 and FIG. 1( b) shows the drawer 20 fully open. When fully open as shown in FIG. 1( b), the drawer 20 is supported by horizontally-extending telescopic runners 24 in a position clear of the structure 22 to allow restocking through the full open top area of the drawer 20. By using a drawer 20 in this way, the restocking process is easier than in conventional refrigerated retail units. The full area of the drawer is accessible to allow easy and fast stock-checking and, if necessary, restocking or stock rotation. In particular, easy back-filling helps to enforce desirable first-in, first-out (FIFO) stock rotation.

The lid 26 is an insulated block with parallel upper and lower faces, one of which is a horizontal undersurface 42 that interfaces with the drawer 20 when closed. A front face 44 of the lid 26 is inclined forwardly and downwardly in two differently-inclined portions 46, 48 to terminate in a front edge 50. The inclination of the lower portion 48 is shallower than that of the upper portion 46.

The plenum chamber 34 is recessed into the undersurface 42 of the lid 26 and the partition 38 that defines the underside of the plenum chamber 34 lies parallel to the undersurface 42. The fan 32 and the evaporator 36 are disposed in a duct in the plenum chamber 34.

A flexible magnetic sliding seal 30 hangs down from the undersurface 42 of the lid 26 but could alternatively be provided on the drawer 20. The arrangement of the seal 30 may be generally as disclosed in the Applicant's earlier patent application WO 2005/024315.

The drawer 20 has integrally-moulded insulated walls, each of which is generally planar and parallel-sided. The walls comprise an inclined base 52 that slopes downwardly in the forward direction, an upright rear wall 54 that is orthogonal to the undersurface 42 of the lid 26, and an inclined front wall 56 that defines an obtuse internal angle with the base 52. Specifically, the front wall 56 slopes outwardly and upwardly from the base 52 to terminate forwardly and downwardly with respect to the front edge 50 of the lid 26 when the drawer 20 is closed. Parallel side walls 58, only one of which is visible in the sectional view of FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b), lie orthogonally with respect to each of the base 52, the rear wall 54 and the front wall 56.

Forward portions of the side walls 58 co-operate with the front wall 56 to define a chute-like channel or pocket topped by an oblong access opening 28. The lower edge of the access opening 28 is defined by the inclined top edge of the front wall 56; its side edges are defined by the similarly-inclined upper edges of the forward portions of the side walls 58; and its top edge is defined by the front edge 50 of the lid 26. When the drawer 20 is closed, the access opening 28 lies in approximately the same shallowly-inclined upwardly- and outwardly-facing plane as the lower portion 48 of the front face 44 of the lid 26. The inclined top edge of the front wall 56 also lies in that plane.

Items 40 stored in the drawer 20 are urged to the front of the drawer 20 by the slope of the base 52. This leaves the coldest items 40 at the front of the drawer 20, where a user can readily access them through the access opening 28. Re-stocked items 40 are always put at the back of the drawer 20 where they will have an opportunity to cool before being dispensed through the access opening 28.

The forward movement of items 40 in any embodiment of the invention could be assisted by a pusher mechanism (not shown) acting between the items 40 and the rear wall 54 of the drawer 20.

The upwardly- and outwardly-facing access opening 28 at the front of the drawer 20 allows items 40 to be seen and reached easily by users without opening the drawer 20. This convenience applies even where the drawer 20 is below waist height or even below knee height. It is even convenient to reach up and access items 40 displayed at or above eye level: the inclination of the front wall 56 facilitates access of the user's hand and forearm through the access opening 28 even if the user must lift his or her elbow above shoulder height to do so. In that case, it is particularly helpful if at least the front wall 56 of the drawer 20 is glazed or otherwise transparent to allow the content of the drawer 20 to be viewed before attempting to access it.

Moving on now to FIGS. 2( a) to 2(c), these show a second embodiment of the invention that is particularly apt to be used for displaying and dispensing bottles 60, but could equally well be used for storing and dispensing cans containing chilled beverages or foodstuffs. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment apart from a movable or removable cover 62 over the access opening 28 and a more steeply-inclined forward portion 64 of the base 52 of the drawer 20. Also, forwardly-extending channels (not shown) in the inner base 52 of the drawer 20 may be provided to assist the alignment of bottles and cans as they slide downwardly and forwardly through the drawer 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2( a) to 2(c), the cover 62 is an oblong flap or door that is hinged along its upper horizontal edge to the lower portion 48 of the front face 44 of the lid 26. The cover 62 is preferably glazed or double-glazed as shown for viewing the bottles 60 in the drawer 20. When the drawer 20 and cover 62 are both as shown in FIG. 2( a), the cover 62 prevents cold air spilling out of the drawer 20 and reduces heat transfer to the interior of the drawer 20, hence making the unit more efficient. Yet, the cover 62 can readily be lifted for access to a bottle 60 as shown in FIG. 2( b) when the drawer 20 is closed, and the cover 62 can be lifted to allow the drawer 20 to be opened fully as shown in FIG. 2( c).

In alternative arrangements, the cover 62 could be attached to the drawer 20 rather than the lid 26, could be mounted for sliding movement relative to the drawer 20 or the lid 26, or could be removable from the drawer 20 or the lid 26. In this way, the cover could possibly be fitted only outside retail hours.

The steeply-inclined forward portion 64 of the base 52 lies orthogonally with respect to the front wall 56 of the drawer 20. Its purpose is to position the front-most bottles 60 in the drawer 20 at such an angle that a user can see them clearly and grasp and remove them easily through the access opening 28.

In a variant of the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3( a) to 3(c), drawers 20 and their lids 26 may be stacked. Three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26 are shown here but there could be two such pairs or four or more of such pairs. The features of this variant are much the same as in the second embodiment, except that the second and third lids 26 each have an inclined upper surface shaped to follow the general contour of the base 52 of the drawer 20 above. Specifically, the upper surface of each of those lids 26 comprises a shallowly-inclined rearward portion 66 corresponding to the major rearward portion of the base 52 and a more steeply-inclined forward portion 68 corresponding to the steeply-inclined forward portion 64 of the base 52. Nevertheless, an air gap between the lid 26 and the base 52 of the drawer 20 above is advantageous to allow for air circulation: this resists condensation and icing by maintaining a good temperature gradient across the insulation of both the lid 26 and the base 52.

FIGS. 3( a) to 3(c) emphasise how the upwardly- and outwardly-facing access openings 28 at the front of the drawers 20 allow items, in this case bottles 62, to be seen and reached easily by users without opening the drawers 20, even where the drawers 20 are below waist height or knee height. There is no need to kneel down and peer under a counter, and there is no awkward door to open. Yet, worktop space is preserved. Indeed the top of the unit can serve as a worktop if the unit is of a suitable height.

In a third embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b), a second access opening 70 communicates with the interior of a drawer 20 from the rear. Otherwise FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) correspond with FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b), showing the drawer 20 closed and open respectively.

The rear access opening 70 provides for loading of items 40 into the closed drawer 20 from behind the unit, whereupon the items 40 slide forward under gravity over the inclined base 52 of the drawer 20 as items 40 are picked out through the first access opening 28 at the front of the unit. Thus, this embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for use between ‘back of house’ food preparation and ‘front of house’ retail service in a cafeteria or fast food restaurant environment. Also, as items are loaded from the back, this helps to enforce FIFO stock rotation.

Like the front access opening 28, the rear access opening 70 is an oblong defined by rearward portions of the side walls 58 co-operating with an inclined rear wall 72 that slopes outwardly and upwardly from the base 52 of the drawer 50. This defines a chute-like channel or pocket topped by the access opening 70. The lower edge of the access opening 70 is defined by the inclined top edge of the rear wall 72; its side edges are defined by the similarly-inclined upper edges of the rearward portions of the side walls 58; and its top edge is defined by the rear edge 74 of the lid 26.

FIG. 5 shows that both access openings of the third embodiment may have covers 62 like those shown in FIGS. 2( a) to 3(c). Here, the inclined front and rear faces of the lid 26 are mirror-images of each other so that each face comprises two differently-inclined portions 46, 48 with the inclination of the lower portion 48 being shallower than that of the upper portion 46. The covers 62 are hinged to the respective lower portions 48 but may again be sliding or removable. The front face terminates in the front edge 50 of the lid 26 and the rear face terminates in the rear edge 74 of the lid 26.

FIG. 6 shows how the variant of FIG. 5 can be stacked to create a multi-drawer unit. Again, the number of drawers 20 is immaterial. The principal adaptation over the variant of FIG. 5 is that all lids 26 other than the uppermost lid 26 each have an inclined upper surface 76 that matches the incline of the base 52 of the drawer above. This maximises insulation thickness but as before, it is desirable that an air gap is maintained between each lid 26 and the neighbouring drawer 20 above.

Of course, it is not essential that double-access embodiments of the invention like those of FIGS. 5 and 6 can only be loaded from one side and emptied from the other. The invention extends to a refrigeration system for retail applications in which items can be accessed from either the front access opening 28 or the back access opening 70 or both, or indeed, in other embodiments, from the sides. The inclined base 52 could be omitted in such embodiments or the base 52 could have a double slope that leads downwardly from a central peak between the access openings 28, 70.

All of the above embodiments of the invention provide ample space for branding or other product information to be displayed on the fascia defined by the front wall 56 of the drawer 20 and/or the hinged cover 62. This creates an eye-catching and informative display without hindering viewing of, or access to, the items stored in the drawer 20.

Turning now to FIGS. 7( a) to 7(f), these show a fourth embodiment of the invention in which drawers and covers may be arranged in various ways. In this embodiment, a flexible-temperature retail display unit has a structure 22 supporting three drawers being an upper display drawer 20U, a lower display drawer 20L and a storage drawer 20S. Each drawer 20U, 20L and 20S has a respective lid 26U, 26L and 26S that cools the interior of the associated drawer 20U, 20L and 20S by means of an evaporator 36 and cold air distribution means such as a plenum chamber around the evaporator 36.

The upper and lower display drawers 20U, 20L are of J-section, each having a full-height upright rear wall 78 that seals against the respective lids 26U, 26L, a horizontal base 80 extending orthogonally from the rear wall 78 and a short upright front wall 82 extending orthogonally from the base 80. Parallel side walls (not shown in these schematic views) extend orthogonally with respect to the rear wall 78, the base 80 and the front wall 82.

Upper and lower access openings 84U, 84L are defined respectively between the top edges of the front walls 82 and the front edges of the lids 26U, 26L. The upper access opening 84U faces horizontally as the upper lid 26U extends the full length of the base 80 of the upper display drawer 20U. The lower access opening 84L faces upwardly and outwardly because the lower lid 26L extends only part way over the base 80 of the lower display drawer 20L.

The storage drawer 20S also has an upright rear wall 78, a horizontal base 80 extending orthogonally from the rear wall 78 and an upright front wall 82 extending orthogonally from the base 80. In this case, however, the storage drawer 20S is of U-section as the front wall 82 is the same height as the rear wall 78. Moreover the lid 26S of the storage drawer 20S extends the full length of the base 80 so that the front and rear walls 82, 78 both seal against the underside of the lid 26S when the storage drawer 20S is closed. Consequently, there is no access opening to the storage drawer 20S when that drawer 20S is closed, hence requiring that drawer 20S to be withdrawn from the unit when access to its contents is required.

The upper display drawer 20U acts as a refrigerator only whereas the lower display drawer 20L can act as a refrigerator or as a freezer. Optional mezzanine shelves 86U, 86L in the upper and lower display drawers 20U, 20L respectively are provided to facilitate multi-level display. The shelves 86U, 86L each have a shallow U-section to retain cold air and any spillages, and to help prevent items falling off the shelves 86U, 86L and possibly damaging items in the drawers 20U, 20L below.

An extendable and retractable insulated upper night cover 88 lies on top of the lid 26U of the upper display drawer 20U when retracted and hence not in use, as shown in FIG. 7( a) by way of example. When extended in use as shown in FIG. 7( c), the upper night cover 88 fits vertically between the front edge of the lid 26U and the front wall 82 of the upper display drawer 20U to close the upper access opening 84U.

Similarly, an extendable and retractable insulated lower night cover 90 lies on top of the lid 26L of the lower display drawer 20L when the lower night cover 90 is retracted and hence not in use. The lid 26L has a stepped upper surface defining a forwardly-opening recess 92 into which the lower night cover 90 can fit horizontally for that purpose. The lid 26U could have a similar stowage provision for the upper night cover 88 if desired.

When extended for use as shown in FIG. 7( c), the lower night cover 90 fits horizontally in front of the lid 26L, partially closing the lower access opening 84L. The remainder of the lower access opening 84L is closed by an insulated panel 94 that can be placed vertically in front of the front wall 82 of the lower display drawer 20L. The top of the panel 94 then co-operates with the lower night cover 90 to close the access opening 84L.

If desired, the panel 94 can be fitted upright across the front of the lower display drawer 20L without the lower night cover 90 being present. This improves energy efficiency when the lower display drawer 20L is operated as a freezer, by helping to retain cold air in the lower display drawer 20L. The panel 94 could be opaque but is preferably transparent.

The lid 26S of the storage drawer 20S also has a stepped upper surface defining a forwardly-opening recess 96 that can accommodate the panel 94 when lying horizontally.

By virtue of the upper and lower night covers 88 and 90 and the panel 94, the unit of the fourth embodiment can be configured and used in various ways which will now be described with specific reference to FIGS. 7( a) to 7(f) as follows:

-   -   In a first configuration shown in FIG. 7( a), both the upper and         lower display drawers 20U and 20L are operating at refrigerator         temperatures, offering excellent visibility of and access to         items (not shown) displayed on the drawers 20U, 20L and their         mezzanine shelves 86U, 86L.     -   In a second configuration shown in FIG. 7( b), the lower display         drawer 20L has been converted into an energy-efficient display         freezer by extending the panel 94 and securing it into place at         the front of the drawer 20L as described above. This allows         reach-in customer access to the freezer display compartment.     -   In a third configuration shown in FIG. 7( c), the upper and         lower night covers 88 and 90 and the panel 94 have been deployed         to create a sealed unit during a period in which the retail         premises is closed. This further improves energy efficiency. It         will be noted that the night covers 88, 90 and the panel 94 are         close at hand, easily stowed, easy to remove from stowage and         easy to attach to the unit. This encourages their use when         required.     -   In a fourth configuration shown in FIG. 7( d), the storage         drawer 20S has been opened on runners 24 to facilitate         restocking of the upper and lower display drawers 20U and 20L,         or refilling of the storage drawer 20S.     -   In a fifth configuration shown in FIG. 7( e), the upper display         drawer 20U has been opened on runners 24 to facilitate         restocking. FIFO stock rotation can be maintained by filling the         lower part of the upper display drawer 20U from behind the         mezzanine shelf 86U.     -   Finally in a sixth configuration shown in FIG. 7( f), the lower         display drawer 20L has been opened on runners 24 to facilitate         restocking. FIFO stock rotation can be maintained by filling the         lower part of the lower display drawer 20L from behind the         mezzanine shelf 86L.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8( a), 8(b) and 8(c). In this embodiment, a retail display unit has a structure 22 supporting a single drawer 20 and cooling means in a lid 26 that cools the interior of the drawer 20 and items 40 contained within. The cooling means includes a fan 32, an evaporator 36 and a plenum chamber 34 around the evaporator 36, which plenum chamber 34 is partially defined by a perforated partition 38 that distributes cold air from the evaporator 36 into the drawer 20 and provides for the return of warmer air from the drawer 20 to the evaporator 36.

The drawer 20 is of U-section comprising an upright rear wall 98, a horizontal base 100 extending orthogonally from the rear wall 98 and an upright front wall 102 extending orthogonally from the base 100 to the same height as the rear wall 98. Parallel side walls 104 (only one of which is visible in this longitudinal section view) extend orthogonally with respect to the rear wall 98, the base 100 and the front wall 102.

The lid 26 extends the full length of the base 100 so that the front and rear walls 102, 98 both seal against the underside of the lid 26 when the drawer 20 is fully closed as shown in FIG. 8( a). For this purpose, forward and rearward magnetic sliding seals 30 are provided on the underside of the lid 26 near its front and rear ends respectively to co-operate with and seal against the upper ends of the front and rear walls 102, 98. Thus, the drawer 20 can be closed fully and sealed by the lid 26 when the retail premises are closed. This saves energy and stores the items 40 in fully stable conditions.

When the retail premises reopens, the drawer 20 is partially opened as shown in FIG. 8( b) by being withdrawn horizontally on runners 24 to an intermediate forward position with respect to the lid 26. This defines an upwardly-facing access opening 28 between the upper edge of the front wall 102 and the front edge of the lid 26 through which the items 40 in the drawer 20 can be viewed and accessed.

In moving to the intermediate forward position shown in FIG. 8( b), the rear wall 98 of the drawer 20 disengages from the seals 30 and instead seals against an intermediate seal 30A that hangs from the underside of the lid 26 forwardly of the rear seal 30 and is disposed orthogonally with respect to the direction of drawer movement. Parallel side seal elements (not shown) may extend parallel to the direction of drawer movement as part of a sealing loop; if so, the drawer 20 can remain in sliding engagement with the side seal elements as the drawer 20 moves from the closed position into the intermediate forward position.

When restocking and cleaning is necessary, the drawer 20 can be withdrawn into a fully forward position as shown in FIG. 8( c), in the process disengaging the rear wall 98 from the intermediate seal 30A. This allows access to the interior of the drawer 20 across the full plan area of its open top. Yet, the rear wall 98 of the drawer 20 may then engage with the forward seal 30 which helps to prevent loss of cold air from the cooling means of the lid 26.

The variant of the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 9( a), 9(b) and 9(c) stacks the drawers 20 and lids 26 in a structure 22 to define a multi-drawer unit. The variant illustrated has three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26: there could of course be more or fewer of such pairs. It will be noted that the drawers 20 and their lids 26 increase in size in stepwise manner from top to bottom. This ensures that when each drawer 20 is opened to the same extent with respect to its lid 26, the access openings 28 thus defined are not blocked by the drawers 20 above. The front of the unit then has a stepped, terraced or cascaded appearance.

A similar effect could possibly be achieved with drawers 20 of the same size, with each successive drawer 20 being withdrawn further with respect to its lid 26 than the drawer 20 above. However this is less preferred because the lower drawers 20 would then have less coverage from their lids 26.

Moving on now to the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 10( a), 10(b) and 10(c), that embodiment is similar in side view to the variant of the fifth embodiment in FIGS. 9( a), 9(b) and 9(c) and like numerals are used for like parts. The main difference, in side view, is that the drawers 20 do not close fully under the lids 26. There is therefore no intermediate forward position of the drawers 20, and no need for intermediate seals 30A. Nevertheless, rearward and forward seals 30 seal against the rear walls 98 of the drawers 20 when the drawers 20 are, respectively, in the closed position shown in FIG. 10( a) and in the open position shown in FIG. 10( c).

The refrigerated retail unit in FIGS. 10( a), 10(b) and 10(c) again has a structure 22 supporting three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26 alternating in a stack. As before, the number of such pairs is immaterial: there could be one or more of them. The cooling means in each lid 26 comprising a fan 32, a plenum chamber 34, an evaporator 36 and a partition 38 is similar to the cooling means of the preceding embodiments. Again, the drawers 20 and their lids 26 increase in size in stepwise manner from top to bottom such that the front of the unit has a stepped, terraced or cascaded appearance when viewed from the side. When the drawers 20 are closed, each lid 26 extends forwardly part of the way along the associated drawer 20 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly: the access openings 28 thus defined are not blocked by the drawers 20 above.

The front view of FIG. 10( b) shows that the sixth embodiment has a key difference over all of the preceding embodiments: this is that the lids 26 do not extend across the full width of the drawers 20 between their side walls 104. As the lids 26 are disposed on the central longitudinal axes of their associated drawers 20, this means that the access openings 28 are C-shaped in plan, extending from the front of the lids 26 to each side of the lids 26 as FIG. 10( b) shows. So, the unit also has a stepped, terraced or cascaded appearance from the front, creating a unit that is visually attractive and that provides excellent visibility of, and access to, the items 40 in the drawers 20. The front walls 102 and side walls 104 of the drawers 20 could be glazed or otherwise transparent to add to these benefits.

This sixth embodiment of the invention is particularly apt to create a promotional ‘hot spot’ having a prominent location in a retail premises. Items 40 can be viewed and accessed from 180° around the unit, from the left side, the right side and the front. Yet, the drawers 20 allow easy restocking and cleaning by providing full plan access when open.

Turning now to the seventh embodiment in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b), this illustrates how the invention can provide an air curtain across an access opening 28. As in previous embodiments, a structure 22 supports a drawer 20 and a lid 26. When the drawer 20 is closed, the lid 26 extends forwardly part of the way along the drawer 20 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly. The drawer 20 is sealed to the lid 26 by a seal 30 when the drawer 20 is closed; in this case, the seal 30 is carried by the drawer 20. When the drawer 20 is opened fully on runners 24, there is full plan access to the interior of the drawer 20 for cleaning and restocking.

The lid 26 in FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) has much the same features as the lids of the previous embodiments, save that the front face 106 of the lid 26 is chamfered to face downwardly and forwardly to ease access through the access opening 28 ahead of the lid 26. The lid 26 also includes a cooling means that is similar to the previous embodiments, and like numerals are used for like parts; a difference is that the partition 38 under the evaporator 36 has an air inlet 108 at its rear and an air outlet 110 at its front. This air outlet 110 is arranged to project airflow driven by the fan 32 forwardly to create an air curtain across the access opening 28 as shown in FIG. 11( a). The air curtain helps to prevent ambient air from infiltrating into the cooled drawer 20.

The drawer 20 is broadly similar to the U-section drawers of previous embodiments and again, like numerals are used for like parts. However, the drawer 20 differs from the previous embodiments in two main respects. Firstly the drawer 20 is shown here with a double-glazed viewing window 112 serving as a front wall 102 and extending around to the front of each side wall 104. Secondly the drawer 20 has a U-shaped recirculation duct defined by inner walls at the front 114, base 116 and rear 118 respectively, spaced from the front wall 102, base 100 and rear wall 98 of the drawer 20. The front inner wall 114 and the rear inner wall 118 have inwardly-directed inclined upper end portions 120, 122 that define respective enlarged ends of the recirculation duct.

The inclined upper end portion 122 of the rear inner wall 118 helps to direct airflow from the rear end of the recirculation duct into the air inlet 108 of the partition 38. Low pressure here under the suction of the fan 32 is transmitted through to the other end of the recirculation duct where the inclined upper end portion 120 of the front inner wall 114 draws air from the air curtain into the duct. It will be noted in this respect that the front inner wall 114 is slightly lower than the rear inner wall 118, the better to shape the airflow.

The air curtain principle may be applied to movable drawers 20 as shown but need not be applied only to a movable drawer: it may be also applied to fixed-lid well-like containers.

In the eighth embodiment shown in FIGS. 12( a) to 12(d), a structure 22 supports three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26 alternating in a stack. Again, the number of such pairs is immaterial. The cooling means in each lid 26 including a fan 32 and an evaporator 36 is similar to the cooling means of the preceding embodiments. In this embodiment, however, the drawers 20 and their lids 26 are inclined downwardly toward the front of the unit at an angle of approximately 30° to the horizontal. The drawers 20 open downwardly and forwardly in parallel planes of the same inclination.

When the drawers 20 are closed, each lid 26 extends forwardly and downwardly part of the way along the associated drawer 20 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly. Like the seventh embodiment, the front face 106 of each lid 26 is chamfered to face downwardly and forwardly, thus facilitating access through the access openings 28 without those openings 28 being blocked by the drawers 20 or the lids 26 above.

Each drawer 20 has a J-shaped longitudinal section comprising a full-height rear wall 124 that, when the drawer 20 is closed, extends to the underside of the lid 26. The J-section further comprises a base 126 that extends orthogonally from the rear wall 124 beyond the length of the lid 26 and terminates in a short front wall 128 that rises orthogonally from the base 126.

In this eighth embodiment, the walls 124, 128 and the base 126 of each drawer 20 support a plurality of cassettes 130: specifically, three such cassettes 130 will fit side-by-side on the base 126 of the drawer 20 as shown. The short front wall 128 of each drawer 20 prevents the cassettes 130 from sliding out under gravity. The open tops of the three cassettes 130 of each drawer 20 co-operate such that each lid 26 can cool the interiors of those three cassettes 130.

Each cassette 130 is an open-topped box having insulated J-section walls comprising a full-height rear wall 132 extending to the underside of the lid 26, a base 134 extending orthogonally from the bottom of the rear wall 132 and a short front wall 136 that rises orthogonally from the front of the base 134. The short front wall 136 defines a front access aperture 28 to enhance visibility and access to items stored in a cassette 130.

It will be noted that the walls 124, 128 and the base 126 of the drawer 20 may have minimal insulation. Instead, insulation is provided by the walls 132, 136 and the base 134 of the cassettes 130.

Once a front cassette 130 has been emptied, the retailer lifts it out of the unit. The inclined base 126 causes the cassettes 130 behind the empty cassette 130 to fall forwards to take its place. So, when a cassette 130 is removed from the a drawer 20 of the unit as shown at the bottom drawer 20 of FIG. 12( b), the remaining cassettes 130 in that drawer 20 slide forwardly within the drawer 20 in consequence of that removal as shown in FIG. 12( c). Full cassettes 130 will automatically fall to the front, so that the entire contents of the front cassettes 130 are accessible to users until the drawer 20 is emptied.

FIG. 12( d) shows the bottom drawer 20 open and restocked with fresh cassettes 130. The drawers 20 are supported for opening and closing movement by runners 24. Latch or bias means (not shown) are suitably provided to hold the drawers 20 in their upward closed position and, possibly, to assist in lifting the drawers 20 back into that position after opening. When open, the drawers 20 provide full plan access so that full cassettes 130, or recycled empty cassettes 130, can easily be placed at the back to fall forward when required.

The aim of the eighth embodiment of this invention is to improve stock control in retail display applications. Only items stored in the front cassettes 130 are accessible: the cassettes 130 behind a front cassette 130 remain inaccessible until the front cassette 130 has been emptied and removed. This helps the retailer to enforce and maintain FIFO stock rotation and aids stock control.

The retailer can use an empty cassette 130 after removal in various ways:

-   -   the cassette 130 can be stored until such time as it is         restocked from the stores area of the retail premises, or from a         forthcoming delivery;     -   the cassette 130 can be returned to a food supplier, who can         restock it directly, using the insulated cassettes 130 to assist         with temperature-controlled storage during transportation; or     -   the cassette 130 can be placed behind the remaining full         cassettes 130 in a drawer 20, until such time as it is         restocked, or returned to the food supplier.

The eighth embodiment of the invention therefore provides a system of removable insulated cassettes in which items can be transported safely, kept cold and protected from damage. In variants of this embodiment, not shown:

-   -   the number of drawers 20 and cassettes 130 per drawer 20 may         vary according to the size and nature of the items to be stored,         the type of retail environment, and the method of stock control         and replenishment;     -   all or part of a cassette 130 could be made from a transparent         material;     -   branding, images and information could be put on the exterior of         a cassette 130, for example on its front wall 136, or indeed on         its inside; and     -   the rear wall 124 of the drawer 20 could be omitted or lowered         to open access at the back of each drawer 20 to enable         restocking with cassettes 130 from the back. This could remove         the need for an extensible drawer 20. Indeed, a simplified unit         could include a fixed inclined shelf, necessitating removal of         all cassettes 130 on one level to enable insertion of         replenished cassettes 130 at the rear of the inclined shelf.

The ninth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 13( a), 13(b) and 13(c) has some similarities to the eighth embodiment in that the lids 26 are inclined downwardly toward the front of the unit at an angle of approximately 30° to the horizontal. In this case, however, the drawers 20 are replaced by open-topped removable insulated containers 138. Here, a structure 22 supports two pairs of containers 138 and lids 26 alternating in a stack, although the number of such pairs is immaterial.

As in previous embodiments, when the container 138 is under the lid 26, the lid 26 extends forwardly and in this case downwardly part of the way along the container 138 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly and forwardly. The front face 106 of the lid 26 is chamfered to face downwardly and forwardly to ease access through the access opening 28. The container 138 may be sealed to the lid 26 by a seal (not shown) when the container 138 is under the lid 26.

The cooling means in each lid 26 is akin to that of the seventh embodiment so as to provide an air curtain across the access opening 28. Thus, the lid 26 shown in FIGS. 13( a), 13(b) and 13(c) has a partition 38 under the evaporator 36 defining an air inlet 108 at its rear and an air outlet 110 at its front such that airflow driven by a fan 32 is projected forwardly to create an air curtain across the access opening 28. Also as in the seventh embodiment, the container 138 is of U-section and has a U-shaped recirculation duct defined by inner walls at the front 114, base 116 and rear 118 respectively, spaced from the front wall 102, base 100 and rear wall 98 of the container 138. The rear inner wall 118 has an inwardly-directed inclined upper end portion 122 that directs airflow from the rear end of the recirculation duct into the air inlet 108 of the partition 38. Low pressure here under the suction of the fan 32 is transmitted through to the other end of the recirculation duct where air is drawn from the air curtain into the duct between the front inner wall 114 and the front wall 102 of the container 138.

The structure 22 defines receptacles 140, best shown in FIGS. 13( b) and 13(c), that receive the containers 138 in their inclined orientation under the respective lids 26. Each receptacle is defined by a rear wall 142 extending orthogonally from the underside of the lid 26, a base 144 extending orthogonally from the bottom of the rear wall 142 and parallel to the underside of the lid 26, and a short front wall 146 that rises orthogonally from the front of the base 144. The front walls 146 retain the containers 138 in their receptacles 140 against the influence of gravity.

Once a container 138 has been emptied, the retailer lifts it out of the unit as shown in FIGS. 13( b) and 13(c) by lifting the front of the container 138 to disengage it from the front wall 146 and then guiding the container 138 out of the receptacle 140. The retailer can store an empty container 138 after removal until such time as it is restocked from the stores area of the retail premises, or from a forthcoming delivery. Alternatively, the empty container 138 can be returned to a food supplier, who can restock it directly, using the insulated container 138 to assist with temperature-controlled storage during transportation.

The tenth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 14( a) and 14(b) is something of a hybrid of the eighth and ninth embodiments, combining an inclined removable container 138 with an inclined drawer 20 underneath. The cassettes 130 of the eighth embodiment are not used in the tenth embodiment as illustrated; however, it will be evident that the tenth embodiment could be adapted to use cassettes 130 in the drawer 20 if desired.

Like numerals are used for like features, and descriptions of those features need not be repeated. For example, both the container 138 and the drawer 20 and their associated lids 26 have provisions for generating an air curtain across an access opening 28. Those provisions are as used in the container 138 and lid 26 of the ninth embodiment and so need not be discussed again here.

It will be noted that the structure 22 has a lip 148 that retains the drawer 20 closed in the upward position against gravity as shown in FIG. 14( a). The drawer 20 must be lifted over the lip 148 to free the drawer 20 for downward movement upon opening as shown in FIG. 14( b).

The eleventh and final embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 15( a) to 15(d) and as a variant in FIGS. 16( a), 16(b) and 16(c). The embodiment shown in FIGS. 15( a) to 15(d) has transparent front and side walls whereas the variant of FIGS. 16( a) to 16(c) has opaque front and side walls. As best shown in FIG. 15( a), the eleventh embodiment combines several features of preceding embodiments and like numerals are used for like parts. For example:

-   -   Two insulated drawers 20U (upper) and 20L (lower) and their lids         26 are in stacked formation, the drawers 20U, 20L being movable         horizontally with respect to the lids 26 and being sealed to the         lids 26, when closed, by seals 30. The lower drawer 20L is         deeper (longer from front to back) than the upper drawer 20U,         projecting forwardly to a greater extent than the upper drawer         20U. By having two drawers 20U, 20L, the area of display is         approximately doubled over that of a standard well freezer. The         facility to move and, optionally, to remove the drawers 20U, 20L         allows easy cleaning and restocking.     -   The lids 26 extend forward part-way along the length of the         associated drawers 20U, 20L, leaving an upwardly-facing access         opening 28 forward of each lid 26.     -   Like the ninth and tenth embodiments, there are provisions for         generating an air curtain over the access openings 28. Those         provisions include inner walls 114, 118 and a base 116 defining         a recirculation duct that communicates with a fan 32 and an         evaporator 36 in the lid 26 through inlet and outlet ducts 108,         110 in a partition 38 under the evaporator 36.     -   The drawers 20U, 20L each comprise insulated walls being a rear         wall 98, a base 100 extending orthogonally from the bottom of         the rear wall 98, a front wall 102 and generally parallel side         walls 104 disposed orthogonally with respect to the rear wall         98, the base 100 and the front wall 102.

The front wall 102 of each drawer 20U, 20L is convex-curved and has bevelled corners where it joins the side walls 104, as best shown in FIGS. 15( b) to 15(d) and in FIGS. 16( a) to 16(c). This is to the benefit of eye-appeal and visibility. Strikingly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15( a) to 15(d), the front and side walls 102, 104 are double-glazed (note feature 112) and hence transparent for ease of viewing the items 40 in the drawers 20U, 20L and to maximise visual impact. However, transparency is not essential as FIGS. 16( a) to 16(c) show: in that variant, visual impact may instead be assured by using the opaque panels of the unit to display branding and product information.

The front wall 102 of the upper drawer 20U is inclined outwardly to define an obtuse internal angle with the base 100. Specifically, the front wall 56 slopes outwardly and upwardly from the base 100 to terminate horizontally ahead of the front edge of the lid 26 of the upper drawer 20U when the drawer 20U is closed. Forward portions of the side walls 104 co-operate with the front wall 102 to define a chute-like channel or pocket topped by the access opening 28.

Referring back to the first embodiment of the invention, it will be recalled that the inclined front wall 102 of the upper drawer 20U facilitates access of a user's hand and forearm through the access opening 28 even if the access opening 28 is high. This allows the upper drawer 20U to be at a higher level than if it had a vertical front, while still being accessible for access to and restocking of items 40. The inclined front wall 102 provides ergonomic access for users by giving an access angle similar to that of an inclined arm trying to reach items at the bottom of the upper drawer 20U. Thus, the drawers 20U, 20L can both be higher than otherwise, to the benefit of their capacity.

The lower drawer 20L is low enough that its vertical front wall 102 does not prejudice viewing and access through its access opening 28: indeed, the vertical front wall 102 is more space-efficient. Synergistically, the inclined front wall 102 of the upper drawer 20U does not block the access opening 28 of the lower drawer 20L.

Many variations are possible within the inventive concept, many of which have been mentioned above and others of which will be apparent to the skilled reader. In determining the scope of the invention, reference should therefore be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specific description. 

1. A refrigerated retail unit having: a supporting structure; at least one insulating open-topped container that is movable with respect to the structure between a display position in which the interior of the container can be accessed through an access opening; and a full access position in which the interior of the container can be accessed through most or all of its open top; the container being capable of substantially retaining cold air within when in the full access position; cooling means for cooling the interior of the container; and an insulating lid supported by the structure; wherein the container defines an overall top plan area that is partially covered by the lid when the container is in the display position, and the remainder of said area of the container not then covered by the lid defines the access opening.
 2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the container is movable with respect to the lid past the display position into a fully closed position where the open top of the container is fully closed by the lid.
 3. The unit of claim 1, wherein the container is removable from the structure.
 4. The unit of any preceding claim 1, wherein the container moves as a drawer with respect to the structure and the lid.
 5. The unit of claim 4, wherein telescopic runners between the container and the structure enable the container to be withdrawn from the structure to an extent necessary to expose substantially all of the open top of the container.
 6. The unit of any claim 1, wherein the lid has a substantially horizontal under surface, the open top of the container defines a substantially horizontal upper surface, and the container moves substantially horizontally between said positions.
 7. The unit of any claim 1, wherein an under surface of the lid and an upper surface of the container are inclined downwardly and forwardly.
 8. The unit of claim 7, wherein the container moves between its positions in a correspondingly inclined plane.
 9. The unit of claim 8, wherein the unit has latch means to hold the container in an upward position.
 10. The unit of claim 8, wherein the unit has bias means to urge the container upwardly.
 11. The unit of claim 1, wherein the or each container is supported in a non-insulated cabinet or casing.
 12. The unit of claim 1, wherein the lid is fixed to the structure.
 13. The unit of claim 1, wherein a mezzanine shelf is in the container.
 14. The unit of claim 1, wherein the unit has at least two containers one above the other, comprising a lower container and an upper container.
 15. The unit of claim 14, wherein there is an air gap between the lid of the lower container and the bottom the upper container.
 16. The unit of claim 14, wherein the containers are in tiered relation when in their display positions.
 17. The unit of claim 16, wherein the lower container is longer from front to rear than the upper container.
 18. The unit of claim 17, wherein the lid of the lower container is shorter than the lower container.
 19. The unit of claim 17, wherein the lid of the lower container is substantially the same length as the upper container.
 20. The unit of claim 17, wherein the upper container has an outwardly inclined front wall defining its access opening and the lower container has a front wall that is less inclined than the front wall of the upper container.
 21. The unit of claim 20, wherein the lower container has a front wall that is substantially vertical.
 22. The unit of claim 20, wherein the lower container has a front wall that is substantially orthogonal to a base of the container.
 23. The unit of claim 16, wherein the lower container is wider from side to side than the upper container.
 24. The unit of claim 23, wherein the lid of the lower container is narrower than the lower container.
 25. The unit of claim 23, wherein the lid of the lower container is substantially the same width as the upper container.
 26. The unit of claim 16, wherein the lower container is withdrawn further from the structure than the upper container when the containers are in their display positions.
 27. The unit of claim 16, wherein one container moves as a drawer with respect to the structure and the other container is removable from the structure.
 28. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling means is associated with the lid.
 29. The unit of claim 28, wherein the cooling means comprises a fan coil unit in the lid.
 30. The unit of claim 28, wherein the cooling means comprises an evaporator in the lid.
 31. The unit of claim 30, wherein a plenum chamber in the lid communicates with the evaporator and with the container through openings in a partition that partially defines the plenum chamber.
 32. The unit of claim 28, wherein the cooling means employs self-contained air circulation between the lid and the container.
 33. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling means comprises a heat exchanger.
 34. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling means comprises cold air ducts extending through the lid from a cold air source outside the lid.
 35. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling means employs magnetic refrigeration.
 36. The unit of claim 1, wherein at least a majority of cooling is effected by way of the lid.
 37. The unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling means does not cool the exterior of the container.
 38. The unit of claim 1, wherein the container includes a recirculation duct having an inlet for receiving air from an air curtain projected across the access opening.
 39. The unit of claim 38, wherein the recirculation duct is defined between inner and outer walls of the container.
 40. The unit of claim 38, wherein the air curtain is projected from the lid across the access opening.
 41. The unit of claim 38, wherein the recirculation duct has an outlet for directing air to the lid.
 42. The unit of claim 41, wherein the outlet is at the rear of the container.
 43. The unit of claim 1, wherein the container has a base and front, rear and side walls upstanding from the base to define the open top.
 44. The unit of claim 43, wherein the rear wall and side walls extend substantially from the base to the lid, and the front wall is shorter than the rear wall.
 45. The unit of claim 44, further including an insulating panel attachable to the front wall of the container to increase the height of the front wall.
 46. The unit of claim 43, wherein the front, rear and side walls extend substantially orthogonally from the base.
 47. The unit of any of 43 to 46, wherein the front wall is substantially vertical.
 48. The unit of claim 43, wherein the rear wall is substantially vertical.
 49. The unit of claim 43, wherein the side walls are substantially vertical.
 50. The unit of claim 43, wherein at least part of the front wall is transparent.
 51. The unit of claim 43, wherein at least a forward part of the side walls is transparent.
 52. The unit of claim 43, wherein at least an inner surface of the base is inclined downwardly toward the access opening.
 53. The unit of claim 52, wherein the inner surface has parallel channels leading toward the access opening.
 54. The unit of claim 53, wherein a minor forward portion of the inclined inner surface of the base adjacent the access opening is more steeply inclined than a major rearward portion of that surface.
 55. The unit of claim 54, wherein the front wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base and the minor forward portion is inclined substantially orthogonally with respect to the front wall.
 56. The unit of claim 52, wherein the inner surface of the base is inclined downwardly leading away from a secondary access opening of the container.
 57. The unit of claim 52, wherein the unit has at least two containers one above the other, and the lid of a lower container has an upper surface inclined to match the external inclination of the base of the upper container.
 58. The unit of claim 43, wherein the front wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base.
 59. The unit of claim 58, wherein forward extensions of the side walls each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the front wall, said edges and the top of the front wall together at least partially defining the access opening.
 60. The unit of claim 43, wherein the rear wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base.
 61. The unit of claim 60, wherein rearward extensions of the side walls each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the rear wall, said edges and the top of the rear wall together at least partially defining a secondary access opening.
 62. The unit of claim 43, wherein the access opening is at least partially defined by the front wall.
 63. The unit of claim 43, wherein the access opening is at least partially defined by forward extensions of the side wall.
 64. The unit of claim 43, wherein the access opening is at least partially defined by a forward edge of the lid.
 65. The unit of claim 64, wherein the front wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base, and forward extensions of the side walls each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the front wall, said edges and the top of the front wall together at least partially defining the access opening.
 66. The unit of claim 1, wherein the access opening is upwardly-facing.
 67. The unit of claim 66, wherein the access opening is also outwardly-facing.
 68. The unit of claim 66, wherein the access opening is forwardly-facing.
 69. The unit of claim 66, wherein the access opening is laterally-facing.
 70. The unit of claim 1, wherein the access opening is adjacent the lid.
 71. The unit of claim 70, wherein the access opening is forward of the lid.
 72. The unit of claim 70, wherein the access opening is to at least one side of the lid.
 73. The unit of claim 70, wherein the access opening extends at least partially around the lid viewed in plan.
 74. The unit of claim 1, wherein the lid has an end face adjacent the access opening, that face facing downwardly and outwardly.
 75. The unit of claim 1, wherein a movable or removable closure covers the access opening.
 76. The unit of claim 75, wherein the closure is supported by the lid.
 77. The unit of claim 76, wherein the closure is hinged to the lid.
 78. The unit of claim 75, wherein when not in use, the closure can be stowed in a forwardly-opening recess in the lid.
 79. The unit of claim 75, wherein at least part of the closure is transparent.
 80. The unit of claim 1, wherein the container is defined by a plurality of open-topped insulating boxes disposed side-by-side on a supporting platform.
 81. The unit of claim 80, wherein one of the boxes lies under the access opening and at least one other box is wholly under the lid.
 82. The unit of claim 80, wherein the boxes co-operate to define a planar upper surface co-operable with a planar under surface of the lid.
 83. The unit of claim 80, wherein the boxes are slidable with respect to the platform.
 84. The unit of claim 80, wherein the platform is inclined.
 85. The unit of claim 84, wherein the boxes slide down the incline of the platform under gravity.
 86. The unit of claim 84, wherein a lower box on the inclined platform supports one or more upper boxes on the platform against sliding down the platform until the lower box is removed from the platform.
 87. The unit of claim 86, wherein the inclined platform has a front wall for supporting the lower box.
 88. The unit of claim 80, wherein the platform is movable with respect to the structure.
 89. The unit of claim 88, wherein the platform is movable as a drawer with respect to the structure.
 90. The unit of claim 89, wherein the platform is supported by telescopic runners and can be withdrawn from the structure to an extent necessary to place a box on the rear of the platform.
 91. The unit of claim 80, wherein each box has a rear wall and side walls extending substantially from the platform to the lid, and a front wall that is shorter than the rear wall.
 92. The unit of claim 91, wherein the access opening is at least partially defined by the front wall.
 93. The unit of claim 1 and having a secondary access opening giving access to the interior of the container when in the display position.
 94. The unit of claim 1, wherein there are at least two access openings, at least one of which is an exit opening for removing items from the container.
 95. The unit of claim 94, wherein at least one of the access openings is an entry opening for placing items into the container.
 96. The unit claim 1, wherein a seal acts between the lid and the top of the container.
 97. The unit of claim 96, wherein the seal is a magnetic sliding seal.
 98. The unit of claim 96, wherein the seal substantially encircles an under surface of the lid.
 99. The unit of claim 96, wherein the seal has elements transverse to the direction of movement of the container with respect to the structure.
 100. The unit of claim 99, wherein a first transverse element of the seal acts between the lid and a rear wall of the container when the container is in the display position.
 101. The unit of claim 99, wherein a second transverse element of the seal forward of the first transverse element acts between the lid and the rear wall of the container when the container is in the full access position.
 102. The unit of claim 101, wherein the second transverse element of the seal acts between the lid and the front wall of the container when the container is in the fully closed position.
 103. The unit of claim 100, wherein a third transverse element of the seal rearward of the first transverse element acts between the lid and the rear wall of the container when the container is in the fully closed position.
 104. The unit of claim 96, wherein the seal has longitudinal elements parallel to the direction of movement of the container with respect to the structure.
 105. The unit of claim 104, wherein the longitudinal elements of the seal act between the lid and side walls of the container when the container is in the display position or in the fully closed position.
 106. (canceled) 